Monetizing Your Website
I'm a big fan of using contextual Advertising on my sites. One of the big contextual advertisers is Google Adsense.
Google Adsense is an excellent way to maximize you site's
potential and it won't cost you a
thing. My Adsense revenue each month more than pays for all my other
advertising and training costs.
I recommend using Google Adsense primarily on article or informational pages. Don't put them on your product or product review pages as they can be a distraction for visitors.
Adsense sign-up is free and there are an abundance of ad formats that will fit your site design.
Tips for using Google Adsense Ads
Place your ads in the upper left hand quarter of your
website.
Studies show that people typically scan
your site from the top left working down. Placing a vertical skyscraper ad in that section can help
increase your click through rate from 2% to as much as 30% or higher.
Don't place Google Adsense Ads on your affiliate product
endorsement page.
You're likely to do better
making an actual sale than with Adsense Ads. If a visitor doesn't click your affiliate link it's
better to keep them navigating your site than send them off to an Adsense ad.
Don't use horizontal banners or
ads.
Google recommends that you use vertical as
opposed to horizontal ads. Web surfers see lots of horizontal banners and web
surfers almost instantaneously avoid them.
According to Google, wider ad formats such as the large rectangle ads and inline rectangle tend to perform better. This is probably due to the fact that they are more reader friendly allowing you to read more text at a glance without having to skip a line and return to the left margin every few words.
My experience is that positioning these ads just before or just
after your main content can increase your click through rate substantially.
Avoid the Dead Zones
Google research has shown that there are zones within your site that won't
generate clicks. These areas are the top right of your site, the bottom right-hand corner and the
very bottom. Ads in these areas are often ignored. Keep your ads to the upper left, and center or
just above or below your primary content.
Coordinate the ad colors to match your site
colors.
Google Adsense offers an array of colors
that you can use to display your ads. Choose the two main colors of your site and use those colors
for your ad. Keep the URL link of the ad in blue since this is the link color that most viewers are
use to. The idea is to blend your ads with your site content so as to invite more
clicks.
Follow the Adsense program policies to the
letter.
Google keeps a close eye on how their ads
are displayed and they will cancel you immediately if you break the rules. Google Adsense is an
excellent way to bring in some extra revenue so don't risk losing a good thing.
If you're looking for more Google Adsense monetizing tips,Google Adsense Secrets by the Adsense master Joel Comm is now in its 4th edition and it doesn't sell for $97 any more, it's $9.95. I've used it over and over for finding the best tips and strategies for earning the most money with Adsense.
Your Partner In Success
Elizabeth